Voter Registration Training

For Internal Use Only

Training Norms

• Please introduce yourself in the chat! (name / location)
• Cameras on so we can see one another
• Stay on Mute to minimize background noise
• Type questions or comments in the chat

Today we’ll cover...

• Why voter registration is important
• Who can register
• How to fill out the voter registration form
• New required disclosures
• Making the ask

Why voter registration?

For Internal Use Only

Why is voter registration important?

Voter registration efforts were a key part of the strategy for Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, but we’ve been steadily losing our advantage over the last decade.

​

Our Goal: Register 150,000 voters in the next year.

Why the FDP?

• Get back to the business of registering Democrats. Partisan registration leads to partisan wins.

​

• Why not us! We can be partisan

​

• For every 2 newly registered democrats, one is likely to vote, a 57% likelihood.

Who can register to vote?

For Internal Use Only

Who can register to vote?

• Can Pre-register at 16 years old
• Eligible to vote at 18 years old
• Citizen of the United States
• No waiting period upon receiving citizenship
• Resident of Florida
• No minimum length of residency
• Not convicted of a felony, or if so, rights have been restored
• Not adjudicated as mentally incapacitated by a court

​

Returning Citizens

With the passing of Amendment 4 in 2018, we are now able to register some returning citizens who previously were ineligible to vote. However, because of recent legislation, not all voters in this category may have their rights restored if they still owe fines or fees.

Students

Can students register using their campus address?

• Yes! Students may use a university mail address as their residential address for voting purposes, as long as the student intends the address to be his or her address on Election Day.

​

• Does that address have to match the one on their driver’s license/ID?
• No! But a student can only be registered at one address at a time.

Questions?

Filling out the voter registration form

For Internal Use Only

The Voter Registration Form

Front of Form

Rear of Form

The Voter Registration Form

• Checkbox above Line 1 indicating applicant type is required

​

• Lines 1-7 and 12 (next to the blacked-out boxes) are required; the form will not be considered valid if they are not completed.

​

• Lines 8-11 are optional, but recommended.

​

• If a person does not check a party under Box 11, s/he will be registered NPA.

Required

Optional

Required

Essential Information

​

Completing the Form

​

​

After the form is complete

• Check every field on the form for accuracy and completeness
• Read back the fields on the form to the voter
• Double check that the form has been signed and dated
• Record the time and date on the form in front of the person (MM/DD/YY format in the bottom margin of the back side of the form - make sure not to cover up any other text)
• Initial below the time and date

Required Disclosures

1. Advise the applicant that they may deliver the application in person or by mail
2. Inform the applicant that they can register online and confirm that their application has been delivered by visiting registertovoteflorida.gov
3. Inform the applicant that FDP may not deliver the application to the Division or the supervisor of elections in the county in which the applicant resides in less than 14 days

​

Questions?

Complying With the Law

All completed forms must be returned to the county Supervisor of Elections within 14 days of being completed by the applicant.

Each registration collected must have the date and time of completion, as well as the initials of the person who collected it, written on the back rear of the form.

Any person can register for any party, and you must bring it in no matter which party an individual selects.

You cannot offer any incentives (money, food, etc.) to register

Partisan vs. Non-Partisan Voter Registration

The Democratic Party is a partisan organization. We can talk to voters about our values as Democrats and encourage voters to register as Democrats.

Partisan Voter Registration

Partisan Voter Registration

Examples:

• Wear a Democratic t-shirt or button
• Democrats believe that justice and fairness are essential to freedom.
• The Democratic Party fights for people over profits.
• Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan which got shots in arms and money in pockets

​

We must accept and turn in all forms, regardless of party affiliation

Returning Citizens

• Ask potential registrants, “To the best of your knowledge have your voting rights ever been taken away by a court?”
• If NO, say, “Great, let’s fill out this form!”
• If YES, ask:
• “To the best of your knowledge, were your voting rights restored through the passage of Amendment 4 or by a Clemency Board?”
• If NO, say, “OK, you are going to need a few extra steps to register to vote. I’m going to give you the number for a voter protection hotline. They will be able to help you: (833) VOTE FLA.”
• If YES, say, “Great, let’s fill out this form!”

​

Be on the lookout...

Confirm all checkboxes are marked

Confirm the driver license or last four of social is listed. (Both is best)

Confirm date of birth does not list the current date

Always encourage registrants to complete the entire form, including optional information

Questions?

Making the Ask

For Internal Use Only

Making the Ask

• There’s not one exact way you have to make the ask
• Focus on volume of asks and you will develop your personal style with repetition
• Be your authentic self and connect with the potential new voter
• “Have you updated your voter registration information recently?”
• “Are you registered to vote at your current address?”
• “Let’s update your voter registration information so that you’re good to go”
• What works for you? Share your suggestions in the chat!

​

​

​

Overcoming Objections

Connect with the voter

• What is important to the voter and why?
• What changes would they like to see in our country, state or local community/county?
• How do they see these changes possibly becoming a reality?

Draw the link between the voter’s values and voting

• Our vote is our power
• Exercising our right to vote is one way we take care of our community
• Registering to vote is the first step to creating change

​

Questions?

Let’s Role Play

• Model
• De-brief
• Role Play
• De-Brief

​

We need to register 150,000 people to vote this year.

Thank you!

For Internal Use Only